A gravestone for a Looe man who lost his life as a result of First World War injuries is to be dedicated, almost 100 years after the young soldier was wounded on the Western Front.

Private Richard Edwin Yeo served with the Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry from 1915, and was severely wounded in battle in 1917.

He was invalided out of the Army, just six weeks before Armistice Day in 1918. Richard died as a result of his wounds in 1920, but it was only thanks to the efforts of the Looe Royal British Legion that he was recognised as a war casualty by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission in June of last year.

Now, following a request by the RBL on behalf of Richard’s family, a CWGC headstone has been provided, and has been put in place in the West Looe Cemetery.

A dedication ceremony will be held at the cemetery on Saturday, December 10, at 2pm.

Looe RBL spokesperson Dave Welch said: ‘Everyone is welcome to attend the ceremony.

‘A representative of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission will be present to lay a wreath, and some of Richard Yeo’s family, who are from Saltash, will be attending.

‘The ceremony will be followed by coffee and mince pies at Looe Social Club.’